Congressional Republicans announced a "new initiative" to get the public to weigh in on important issues. And by new initiative, they mean a...

A new website.

They call it America Speaking Out, and it allows folks on the Internet to offer their own ideas or comment on others' ideas on things like prosperity, fiscal accountability, American values and national security.  And even earn "badges" (why do I keep hearing Alfonso Bedoyo saying : "Badges...We don't need no badges. I don't  have to show you any stinking badges"?)

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., is in charge of New Media Outreach for the House Republicans, and is tasked with maximizing the site's effectiveness.

“All across America, New Media technologies – such as websites, blogs, online videos, and social networking sites - have greatly improved communications in our personal and professional lives,” she said in a press release.  “Now it’s time for New Media to have the same impact on America’s government. "

Perhaps, but McMorris Rodgers and House Republicans may discover one other fact about a political social media site, which is "if you build it, God knows who will come and write long-winded diatribes." A check of the site on its first day showed that some of the posts are fairly acerbic, and some could best be described as logic challenged.

But anything that  moves the political dialog forward is a good thing, right?

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